Glass Dharma Giveaway

February 23, 2010Angela (Oh She Glows)

by Angela (Oh She Glows) on February 23, 2010

*waves hello*

I had such a ball reading your comments in my post on foods you loved as a kid. I think I added about 50 more to my list after reading yours. I can’t believe some of us ate the same things- like sugar sandwiches!?! ;) I think kids lose their teeth for a reason…

Looky who finally got some snow…

Comfort food coming right up…!

Rotini Tomato Pasta with 3 Minute Vegan Parmesan Cheese

I am not a huge pasta fan, but once in a while I do get a craving for it. One thing I have not had since going vegan is Parmesan Cheese. I was excited to find out that making a vegan version is really simple and involves just three ingredients and takes less than 5 minutes! The recipe I used is from Veg Family.

It didn’t taste exactly like Parmesan cheese, but I loved it just the same. It made the pasta come alive! I can already see myself sprinkling this on soups, casseroles, lasagna, etc. YUM!

With pita wedges:

You will not regret making this…trust me on this one!

Eric LOVED it…said he liked it just as much, if not more than Parmesan.

More exciting things…

David Leonhardt from Glass Dharma recently sent me some of his hand-made glass straws to review. I was really excited to try out these straws given how many Green Monsters and juices that I drink each week.

Hello, my name is David Leonhardt.

I’ve been a lampworker (glassblower) for over 10 years. My wife, Gail & I recently moved from the Sacramento, CA area, to our dream of living on the Mendocino Coast.

I started doing some work for a local glass shop in town and noticed that the owner had glass drinking straws for sale. I had never heard of these before and I am always intrigued by something made out of glass that I hadn’t thought of. I was struck by the unique elegance in such a simple item.

I immediately recognized that here was a partial solution to our “plastics problem”. Now, granted, there are a lot more plastics in our world than just drinking straws, but bear with me a minute and let me put things in perspective … As of March 2008, McDonald’s serves an average of 52 million meals PER DAY! (Per their website) How many of those served do you think were given a plastic straw? I hope it is becoming obvious just how big of a problem these pesky little plastic straws can be. Remember, this is just from McDonalds!!

Crazy, eh?

Nothing makes me more happy than seeing people follow their dreams! Rock on David.

I fell in love with the straws as soon as I saw them. They give such a fun elegance to any drink and it made my juice experience really fun. The best part about the straws is that David offers a Lifetime Guarantee Against Breakage which makes the straws risk free. They are also dishwasher safe, which is nice, because we all do enough dishes! I think these straws would make a unique gift for yourself or a loved one- maybe a Green Monster lover, perhaps?

Would you like a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Glass Dharma???

Simply leave one comment below. Open to CAD or US residents only please. Contest ends Thursday Feb. 25th at 8am EST! Goodluck!!

Comfort food all the way! We are supposed to get snow through the night here in Boston so we are prepping early by creating a comfort dinner ourselves. Though tonight we are going sweet potato syle! Nothin like it :)

I am just loving the Size Healthy links! Thank you for passing all of the goodness on.

Yay hockey!!! I cannot WAIT for the showdown between Canada and the US on Thursday for women’s hockey – I grew up playing with three of the girls – the Lamoureux twins and Marvin – so it’s just that much more exciting for me =).

And the glass straw is such a unique and sustainable idea! Would love to win one =)

You’re going to have a zillion entries for this! I have been ogling those straws for forever now, ever seen I saw them on Green + Crunchy. They are gorgeous! And, they would do wonders for preventing my ever present (kidding!) green monster mustache! :)

Let me start by saying zomg I love your blog and your tweets. You are so unbelievably sweet and very “real” in what you tell people. Keep it up!

My thoughts on the glass straw? LOVE! I love drinking out of straws but feel so badly because most straws are made of plastic and can only be washed and re-used so many times. I always feel so guilty throwing them out so something like this would be a great addition to my budding kitchen.

I just learned about these straws a short while ago! I totally would love some! I currently just rinse out my plastic straw I use at home! (The glass straws are also sitting in my amazon.com wishlist :-)

I’m so in love with these straws. I don’t buy bottled water, send my kids to school with litterless lunches…and yet I never gave a second thought to straws. I most definitely will now. Thank you for the contest and also for bringing up something I had never considered before – and once you see something, you can’t unsee it.

Hi Angela.
Love your blog (I’m on vacation in QC and still checking in daily!).
I think glass straws are a wonderful idea – I’ve made a conscious effort over the last year to reduce the amount of plastic my foods/beverage come into contact with, so these would be awesome.
Thanks for being you!
Cheers :)

That straw looks so nice. Being dishwasher safe is wonderful and frankly drinking smoothies and stuff out of straws is just plain fun. I was thinking exactly what Jil was with those huge swirly straws! I had about 5, but were so fun.
Oh and nutritional yeast is my new favorite! haha

Ohh, I totally want to go visit their studio now. Sustainable and local (for me). I typically pass on the straw altogether, but there are definitely times when it’s nice to have a straw – especially with a nice thick smoothy (so you don’t end up dumping it all over your shirt – not that I’ve ever done that… of course not).

Your Rigatoni looks soo delish! I’m taking a course on Global Climate Change right now in school and I would LOVE to have a Glass Dharma straw. Any little bit of eco friendliness helps, even if it seems like a really small contribution!

Aaah! That’s amazing! I have a (eep!) plastic straw in my wine glass full of green monster in the morning, so I’d love to get rid of the old planet-killers and use reusable glass straws. Thanks for the great post!

Those straws are very fun. When I was a kid, we were never allowed to use straws except when we had guests over (I have no idea why my moher came up with this rule but, as a result, straws always feel a little bit “special occasion” to me!)

Those straws are so pretty! I love how progressive and sustainable they are. Maybe someone could create a sleeve to protect the straw so people can take them with them when they go out – it would really help to cut down on pollution! Your pasta looks delicious as well, and I was so tempted to make it tonight, but I’ve had a healthy vegetarian chili in the slow-cooker all day and I am really looking forward to it! Good tip for the vegan parmesan — I will use it to top my chili tonight! :)

Hi there, I just discovered your website and am really looking forward to exploring your blog! I was wondering, do you still count calories? In your “About” section, you mentioned becoming obsessed with calorie counting. I lost 110 pounds with calorie counting and sometimes I wonder if I’m borderline obsessing about my calories…Anyways, look forward to reading your posts!

Your pasta looks delish! And that straw is way cool…what a great idea!

I didn’t get to comment on your earlier post about things you loved as a kid. I have to add my top two favourite childhood foods: #1 was HP sauce sandwiches on wonder bread – I’d douse the bread with HP until it was almost soaked through, then top with the other piece of bread and chow down. #2 was cereal in a glass. I’d put cereal (Golden Grahams were my favourite) in a glass and top it with milk (and would add ice cubes if the milk wasn’t cold enough) and then try to drink the cereal down. It NEVER worked – the cereal always stuck to the sides of the glass. I eventually gave up trying after a few years, lol. I do still love HP sauce though, but fortunately I prefer it on the foods it’s supposed to go on instead of white bread!

The straw is lovely. I’ve been looking for a reusable straw but I was worried about the breakage issue. It’s good to know that’s covered! Also, I’m moving into a place with a dishwasher soon, so that would work well too!

Angela, I have a major thing for kitchen gadgets as well as smoothies and Green Monsters. The gift certificate from Glass Dharma would be exceptionally amazing for me! :) Almost as amazing as the Glo Bars I just received… delish!

i would love to have one of these glass straws!!
i enjoy many a green monster and i love to drink them with straws. i almost always think of the waste i am contributing with my straws and wish they were recyclable or there was another option. i would use that $25 to get myself a glass straw and further reduce my carbon footprint. hey, every little bit helps!!

i absolutely MUST use a straw to drink my green monsters, and i hate wasting so many plastic ones! i’d been wondering about reusable straws that weren’t plastic, but had never heard of these glass ones. amazing idea!

I’m definitely a smoothie and juice drinker most days, and I’ve been reusing some bubble tea straws I bought at an Asian grocery store near my house… glass straws that are supposed to be reused just may be a better solution ;)

OMG I am obsessed with these straws and have wanted them for so long but my budget doesn’t allow for it. I have entered probably 25 of the contests to win this certificate over the last few months as it has been going around the blogosphere. I am really really hoping that this will be my chance to finally win!

Wow, glass straws!!!!!!! I mean that is so awesome, and the fact that they are dishwasher safe is even more awesome :)*
Your homemade Parmesan cheese looks really tasty and I’m excited to try it out myself and see what the results are :)
Hope your enjoying your snow :) It’s snowing in NY again as well…

Angela, I’ve been following your site for a few months now. I love it! The straw idea is really cool and different. I usually drink EVERYTHING out of a straw..tea, hot chocolate, coffee..this would make it seem so much more sophisticated!

I just found your website last week and I have been in love with it ever since!

You inspired me to go pick up some kale and other veggies at the health food store and I made my first green monster yesterday. I felt healthier all day long! These straws would perfect to sip on my monsters.

Wow, I can’t believe they can make a straw sturdy enough for smoothies out of glass. How environmentally friendly! I go through straws like toilet paper, I know… I should be more “green” but I haven’t had a chance to purchase a more permanent alternative. Also, my roommate isn’t a vegan but she can’t have parm (something horrible happens to her stomach and if she wants me to be her roommate, she should continue you to avoid it). I shared your recipe with her, I will let you know how it goes!

AAA those straws are everywhere! Now I know where to get them :). I love drinking smoothies from a straw. My bf always comments that I bite every straw I use, don’t think this will be a problem anymore ;).

Wow. . . the straw made of glass is so incredible! I am always in search of the ‘perfect’ straw for my healthy smoothie in the morning. I don’t mess around with my smoothie-it is a 32 ouncer!! I bought some thicker plastic ones and have had trouble with them cracking and/or getting smoothie bits stuck in the ridges. Would love to try a glass straw! Thanks for the review!

What a fantastic, wonderful idea! I always feel awful throwing my straws away – I try to wash them in the dishwasher, but after awhile there’s nothing you can do but let the sorry things go. I take a green monster with me to work every day in a (washed, labels removed) nescafe coffee jar! The lid screws on really tightly, it’s perfect. A glass straw would complete the experience ^~

Can you please please make some more heaven bars soon? I haven’t had the chance to try them yet <3

I think the straws are beautiful… but… I guess my question would be how do you wash them? I mean, my son’s sippy cup has a rubber straw and trust me… that little bugger is hard to clean!!! and that’s just juice! I’d be afraid if I were to drink my green monster with that… I’d get bits of flax and chia seeds stuck in them…

but beautiful nonetheless and I’m totally willing to be the experiment-or with them and discuss how to get them clean *wink*

Oh I love these straws! I feel like I see them everywhere on the internet and am constantly wondering where to get one.
It would make my daily morning Green Monster look twice as nice!
P.S. The pasta look soooo good. Great job!

I would LOVE to win a gift certificate for the glass straws! I’ve been researching those for quite a while and have been dying to get some! I have kids and we drink smoothies/green monsters so this would be perfect! AND plastic straws are a huge problem. I do many beach cleanups and pick up tons of plastic straws! People need to pay attention to all the plastics they use in everyday life! :)

I love the glass straw idea! I love making smoothies for breakfast and always wish I had a straw to drink it with, but for environmental reason I don’t buy plastic straws. I think it’s a great idea and to make it even better they look so elegant and classy! Love it!

How cool! What a great idea! I love they are guarented against breaking. I would love to use these; I have very sensitive teeth, so I use straws ALL THE TIME! It helps the liquid stay away from my teeth. I do try to re-use straws, somewhat, but my cat likes to knock over drinks and run away with the straws!

I’d love to try glass straws! I received some stainless steel ones for Christmas and they are great. I always use straws when I drink so I feel like I’m being a little more responsible to the environment when I use them!

My husband and I make our own version of Green Monsters after our boxing workouts! Adding these glass straws would be a blast!!!! And then we may not have to use a little rubber spatula to get the last little bits out of our wine glasses…we can just suck it out! :)

Who would have thought a simple solution would be so green? I try to recycle my food garbage when I am done, but 80%cannot be recycled. I’d be great to have this straw in my purse ready for use when I am out and about!

Less waste, love it! Straws are the only way I can get my son to drink his green smoothie every day, a straw dharma glass straw would be a great addition to our household. Did you know you can also buy little travel bags for them…have straw will travel :)

I had never considered how frequently I use plastic straws- I use them EVERYDAY while drinking my green monster! It would be great to have these glass straws so that I can help contribute to a greener world for future generations!

I am a big fan of pasta…one of my weaknesses. :) I love the idea of vegan parmesan cheese! I have all of those ingredients, so I can’t wait to try it out. The glass straw is way cool. I’ve never heard of such a thing. So great!

Little kids tend to LOVE straws, everything just taste better if you drink it with a straw… However I’m NOT to crazy about using Plastic and we don’t use straws, which my kids aren’t too crazy about.
These would be great.

I pretty much only drink from a straw, and specifically buy glasses/waterbottles that come with reusable straws… The idea of glass straws is awesome, and I could use any glass! Cool giveaway, I hope I win :)

The vegan parm sounds interesting. All these vegan recipes make me contemplate going vegan. (I’m not even vegetarian right now…). I know there are definite health benefits. Last night I asked my boyfriend if he would still love me if I was a vegan (jokingly, of course). He shrugged his shoulders and said it didn’t matter to him.

Are those glass straws easily breakable? Reusable straws is a clever idea, but how functional might they be in a commercial setting (i.e., a restaurant)?

I love the parm idea! I put it on stuff more for the texture than for the exact taste, so I think this would be a perfect substitute for me. What a great idea to make glass straws! I wonder how they feel on your teeth?

Love the straws!! I’m entering on behalf of my environmental conscious – I’ve worked with animals in many capacities and straws are always no-no’s in any establishment because so many of them end up inside animals! I drink a green monster everyday so these straws would come in good use… currently don’t use a straw but that means I practically inhale the smoothie… and I hear slow and steady does it?!

I already commented and I know the contest is over, but I just wanted to let you know that I made the vegan Parmesan cheese last night and it was super good! I think I’ll be making that quite often from now on. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

I don’t know how in the world I wound up on a specific post from so long ago! I thought I clicked on the second page of posts but this is from a while ago.
Lol thinking I could win a contest from Feb ;)

What a neat idea! I love the notion of cutting down on waste, and I have to admit that I do use straws. Smoothies just taste better when being slurped up instead of spooned. Anyway I can still enjoy the straw effect and cut down on waste is a win-win in my book!

Thank you for the wonderful recipe! Was looking for a nut free option of the cheese and this fits the bill!!

Re the glass straws….I have several….I love them. The clean easily with a little brush….they are amazing in smoothies (wide enough so your cheeks don’t cave in when you are trying to drink!! LOL) and I feel better knowing that I am not contributing to the landfill. I bought my first one a couple of years back…but dropped it, while on my way out, on my cement porch in – 40 weather…and it broke…I was SOOOO sad. So I purchased a few more. I have been extolling the straws’ virtues…and my adult children are eying them as are my friends (actually one of my friends actually bought one after trying mine!!). So Readers, if you are wondering if you should buy one….if you don’t win one…….YES!!! They are amazing! They would also make awesome gifts….I know that is my plan!

Glass Straws,
A great substitute for teeth whitening chemicals and agony!
Great for the environment and our smiles!
Wonderfully supportive information, thank you for sharing, which I will now do with friends.
Sincerely yours,
Joyce

I haven’t used straws for years due to the whole plastic thing, so these glass strqws would be a real treat! I’m going to make some of that “Parmesan” as soon as I can get out to buy nutritional yeast. Thanks for both the recipe and the straw giveaway opportunity-much appreciated.

hi there! i just found you at Whole Foods market by your book. Came online to check your site out and am a fan already. i’ve been vegetarian for over 45 years and raised my kids this way also. now playing with vegan cooking and loving it. thank you for all of your recipes and adorable blog. you are now in my favorites and tonight making either Italian Bean Balls and Spaghetti Squash or Lemon Dill Tofu with steamed vegis or salad. sooooo much to choose from. thanks so much!!! daisy

Love the glass straws! Just returned from five weeks in Vietnam and was instantly transported mentally to Thailand, Malaysia and Central America. These countries have a plastic crisis on their hands which mars their beautiful beaches and countrysides. We all need to give a global thank you to David for making these glass straws. There must be a way to make them appealing and cost effective for restaurants and bars on a global basis. My thanks for his ingenuity and to you for spreading the word. Good work.
Linda